Podcast Summary: "Presenting: Murder True Crime Stories"

Episode: Presenting: Murder True Crime Stories
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Podcast Series: The Binge - Murder True Crime Stories
Hosts: Corinne Vien, Sony Music, Jacob Haendel

Introduction

The episode begins with Corinne Vien introducing listeners to "Murder True Crime Stories," a segment of The Binge podcast series. She emphasizes the show's unique approach to true crime by not only delving into the evidence but also highlighting the lives of the victims, exploring what led to their untimely deaths, and investigating whether justice was served.

Corinne Vien [00:00]: "What sets Murder True Crime Stories apart is the unique approach to these stories. Not just covering the evidence, but highlighting the victims, their lives, what led to their deaths, and if they ever got justice."

She mentions notable cases covered in the series, including Chandra Levy, Lacey Peterson, and the Black Dahlia, promising "shocking twists, gripping true crime storytelling and unbelievable moments."

Case Overview: Speedway Burger Chef Murders

Date of Incident: November 17, 1978
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Victims: Four young employees of Burger Chef restaurant
Perpetrator: Unidentified white male (referred to as Employee X)

Background and Setting

On the night of November 17, 1978, Burger Chef in Speedway, Indiana, was bustling with activity due to the airing of the "Star Wars Holiday Special." To capitalize on the event, Burger Chef offered the "Star Wars Fun Meal," attracting many fans. As the special concluded at 10 PM, the restaurant was scheduled to close at 11 PM. Four young employees were assigned the closing shift to clean and prepare the restaurant for the next day.

Daniel Davis's Absence: Originally, Employee X was scheduled to close but had been terminated due to performance issues. He failed to show up for his last shift, prompting 16-year-old Daniel Davis to request an extension to help his team and earn extra money for Christmas presents.

Corinne Vien [01:16]: "Daniel wanted the extra hours so he could earn money to buy Christmas presents."

Jane, another employee, was accompanied by her protective boyfriend, who trusted Mark Flemons, a 16-year-old employee skilled in karate, to ensure their safety.

Corinne Vien [05:30]: "Mark had covered Ginger's shift that night so she could keep her date."

The Crime Unfolds

At approximately midnight, Brian Cring, a 17-year-old employee, returned from dropping his date off and decided to assist Mark in closing up. He noticed unusual activity: the back door was ajar, the safe was open, and cash registers were emptied except for about $100 in coins. Brian contacted the manager, who advised him to call the police. Shortly after, Employee X arrived unexpectedly and fled upon Brian mentioning the police call.

Corinne Vien [08:45]: "Brian found X's behavior strange. Why would someone who had just claimed he couldn't get to work show up...?"

The police arrived to a chaotic scene with abandoned jackets and purses, leading them to suspect foul play rather than a simple robbery.

Investigation Flaws

Lieutenant William Crafton, a seasoned investigator, led the case but faced significant procedural mishaps. The initial police response was inadequate:

• Lack of Proper Evidence Collection: The scene was not properly secured. Officers failed to dust for fingerprints, call in crime scene technicians, or photograph the scene promptly.

• Scene Tampering: By the next morning, employees had cleaned the restaurant, leading officers to reconstruct the crime scene from memory.

Officer Buddy Elwanger [11:50]: "We screwed it up from the beginning."

The FBI arrived 11 hours after the victims were reported missing but found little to aid their investigation due to the compromised evidence.

Discovery of the Victims

On November 19, 1978, hikers discovered the bodies of Ruth and Daniel near a trail. Shortly after, Jane and Mark's bodies were also found nearby. The autopsies revealed:

• Ruth and Daniel: Both were shot with a .38 caliber handgun, with bullets originating from the same weapon approximately 30-40 yards away.

• Jane: She was brutally stabbed with a hunting knife, which shattered upon impact. The knife handle was never found.

• Mark: He died from asphyxiation, likely secondary to severe beatings and a collision in the woods after fleeing the scene.

Corinne Vien [16:20]: "Why would a small time crook murder four people? How did the robber or robbers force four strong smart young people to leave the restaurant with them..."

Theories and Unanswered Questions

The case remains perplexing due to several unanswered questions:

1. Motivation: Why would Employee X, presumably a small-time crook, commit such a heinous crime involving multiple victims?

2. Forcible Coercion: How did the perpetrators manage to lead four capable young individuals away without significant resistance?

3. Perpetrator's Disappearance: Employee X vanished without a trace, leaving little evidence to track him down.

4. Mark's Death: The circumstances surrounding Mark's death suggest he may have survived the initial assault only to succumb to his injuries shortly after.

Conclusion

The Speedway Burger Chef Murders remain unsolved, highlighting significant lapses in the initial investigation that hindered justice for the victims. The episode underscores the importance of proper investigative procedures and the devastating impact of their absence on solving crimes.

Corinne Vien [20:15]: "Now, if you like this episode, please search for Murder True Crime Stories wherever you get your podcasts and please follow so you get new episodes every Tuesday."

Closing Remarks

Corinne concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe and follow "True Crime Stories" for more in-depth explorations of baffling crimes and the pursuit of justice.

Corinne Vien [21:20]: "Thank you so much for listening to catch the rest of this episode and so much more. Don't forget to search and follow True Crime Stories wherever you get your podcasts."

Key Takeaways:

• Investigation Integrity: Proper evidence handling is crucial for solving crimes.

• Community Impact: Lapses in the investigation led to community panic and loss of trust in local law enforcement.

• Unsolved Mysteries: The Speedway Burger Chef Murders remain a haunting reminder of the importance of thorough criminal investigations.

Notable Quotes:

• Corinne Vien [00:00]: "What sets Murder True Crime Stories apart is the unique approach to these stories."

• Officer Buddy Elwanger [11:50]: "We screwed it up from the beginning."

• Corinne Vien [16:20]: "Why would a small time crook murder four people?"

Subscribe and Follow: To stay updated with "Murder True Crime Stories" and other gripping true crime tales, subscribe to The Binge on your preferred podcast platform and visit GetTheBinge.com.